A new textbook explains for the first time how the effect of ITS technologies on passenger behaviour in public transport can be modelled

Karlsruhe, 16 December 2015. New technologies are constantly appearing on the market for intelligent transport systems. However, until now it was unclear how these could best be implemented for public transport, and in particular for planning. Modelling Public Transport Passenger Flows in the Era of Intelligent Transport Systems is a textbook that sheds light on the issue for the first time. Edited by Prof. Guido Gentile of the Sapienza University of Rome and Dr. Klaus Nökel, Vice President Product Management & Software Development at PTV Group, the book will be published in January 2016. Both editors will be present at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) 95th Annual Meeting held in Washington, D.C, from 10 – 14 January 2016 (Walter E. Washington Convention Center, booth 125).

Under the framework of the TransITS COST Action programme funded by the European Union, researchers from 21 European countries investigated which ITS developments available on the market could be used to benefit public transport and in what ways. They examined how modern technologies can be included in transport models in order to provide decision-makers with a solid basis for investing in implementation. The results were brought together in an English-language textbook aimed at a broad audience that includes practitioners, decision-makers, researchers and students.

Forward-thinking, yet practical

"Real-time public transport operational management, public transport prioritisation and dynamic passenger information – the use of intelligent transport systems at all levels is fundamentally changing the ways in which public transport is planned and modelled", says co-editor Dr. Klaus Nökel, Vice President Product Management & Software Development at PTV Group. And transport planners must respond to these changes quickly if they don't want to miss the boat. The book which runs to almost 650 pages shows them how the use of public transport will change over the coming years; how to create a seamless door-to-door mobility experience for passengers; and how to make the design of public transport provision more sensitive to demand by using planning tools and real-time technology.

Modelling Public Transport Passenger Flows in the Era of Intelligent Transport Systems also offers practitioners ready-made formulae. "The book takes a detailed look at different models of passenger behaviour and explains the effects of different ITS technologies", says Nökel. "As a software provider, it was very exciting for us to see that our transport planning software PTV Visum already covers many of the use cases under discussion."

The textbook is the result of four years of intensive research and exchange, the results of which were presented and discussed at the TransITS Conference at the end of May. Over 140 participants from research, public transport providers and associations, the software industry and lobby groups representing transport users attended the conference in Paris.

About the book

Prof. Guido Gentile & Dr. Klaus Nökel (eds.): Modelling Public Transport Passenger Flows in the Era of Intelligent Transport Systems. 2016, 641 pages. Hardcover 129,99 EUR. ISBN 978-3-319-25080-9. Springer Verlag. Available on Springer’s online shop ( http://www.springer.com/in/book/9783319250809) and  amazon.de ( http://ptv.to/amazon).

Take part for a chance to win

PTV Group is giving away three copies of the textbook Modelling Public Transport Passenger Flows in the Era of Intelligent Transport Systems. Simply take part in our short online questionnaire at  http://ptv.to/itsinpt for a chance to win one of the copies.

PTV. The Mind of Movement

PTV Group plans and optimises everything that moves people and goods worldwide – be it transport routes, distribution structures or private and public transport. The company offers software, data, content, consulting and research. Thanks to expert knowledge in traffic and transport planning, PTV occupies a unique position.

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Contact:

Petra Gust-Kazakos
Global Communications PTV Group
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